| Last Saturday we lost four brother officers. Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Officer John Hege, Sergeant Ervin Romans and Sergeant Daniel Saikai. Two were shot during a traffic stop and two died during the gunfight when they tried to arrest the murderer. Another officer was shot, but he survived. The killer did not survive. The killer was a parolee at large. He was responsible for another murder and the rape of a 12 year old girl. He was suspected in 5 other rapes. Today my wife and I attended the funeral. Denise is always there when I need her and I had been looking towards today with dread. Officer funerals are a massive show of respect and love, but today's was going to be at the Oakland Arena, open to the families, the police and the public. Oakland has had both a well attended public vigil in support of our officers and also a not so well attended march in support of the killer. I thought that today was likely to become a political circus.
It didn't.
Oh there were politicians there. Quite and interesting mix including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Attorney General Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. Oakland Mayor Dellums was asked not to speak apparently by some of the families. He respected their wishes. In fairness to Mayor Dellums, I heard his speach at the vigil in honor of the officers a few nights ago. His speach was respectful and supportive. I would have had no problems having him speak today.
Senator Boxer and Governor Schwarzenegger were not on the program, but they spoke anyway and showed the respect our brothers were due. The same can be said for Senator Feinstein and Attorney General Jerry Brown. What an odd combination.
The speakers, Captain Edward Tracey, Captain Rick Orozco, Sergant Rich Vierra, Mr. Robert York, Toshi and Tim Kempkes, Chris Dunakin, Lieutenant Anthony Banks, Retired Lieutenant Lawrence Eade and Janet Saalfeld were incredible and had us smiling with memories of our brothers.
When it was over the bagpipes sounded and the families and friends went outside to see four squads of helicopeters fly over and heard a 21 canon salute.
I saw people there that I have not seen in twenty five years. I saw officers from local agencies as I always do when I go to these funerals. You can always count on your brothers and sisters to show up, but this time I also saw New York, Baltimore, Boston, Law Vegas, and Tribal Police. There were even police from Canada. Some of these officers were even put to work, helping to keep things running smoothly.
Several dispatchers and officers from outside agencies took over our streets so that more OPD officers could attend the services.
The love, respect and support that my department experienced was incredible. I will never forget it.
We expected 18,000 people and I have no doubt that there were many more. the areana is an enclosed building designed for noisy basketball games and even noisier rock concerts. When the audience rose as the officers entered there was no sound at all except for the cadence of the drums.
I am so lucky to be part of the police family.
Thanks to anyone and everyone who reads this. |
